North Weald hosted us for our first league game of the 2021 season, in the Herts and Essex Border League Premier Division. On what was a typically lovely English summer’s day, about 10 degrees and cloudy with some rain in the air, we made the journey up the M11.
Skipper, Jacob, won the toss and stuck the opposition in, on what looked a bowler friendly wicket with some good overhead conditions too. Mohsin and Charlie opened proceedings, looking to take advantage of the favourable conditions. Whilst they bowled with good control and economy, they returned zero wickets from fifteen overs between them... Naz (1-27) and Grant (3-28) on as the change bowlers, who were eager to build on the early pressure from Mohsin and Charlie. Soon enough Grant had the breakthrough, getting one of the openers out via one of the ten forms of dismissal outlined in the MCC Laws of Cricket. Grant, bowling 9 overs on the bounce, finishing with impressive figures of 3-28. I think he bowled one, and the other two were caught... In fact, yes, Henry, (who kept like a man who had relinquished control of his hands and legs), managed to snaffle one down the leg side. Either way, well bowled Grant, you’ve made it into the team next week. Naz bowled with his usual control and good length and returned with figures of 1-28. His wicket coming in the form of LBW, (I think).
The North Weald innings never really got going and 2 wickets for Rory (2-8) and 1 for JT (1-11), saw the opposition finish on 162-7 from their 45 overs. Some good late order resistance helping them to a score and credit to them for batting their overs.
A quick pitstop, which included the usual array of meal deals from Tesco, (other supermarkets are available), and some of the more up market boys opting for a Dorringtons lunch. Rory (105*) and Josh (49*) walked out to the middle in their pursuit of chasing down the runs. North Weald started steadily with the openers bowling quite nicely, and Josh in particular looking all at sea. But before long, Josh had cleverly given Rory the strike as he blasted his way to a magnificent hundred off not many balls. Towards the end Josh, who was chasing a half-century himself, selflessly giving Rory the strike to help him achieve his ton. The winning runs coming in the 22nd over as Josh murderously blasted yet another boundary that just crept over the fence. All in all a good game of cricket and the perfect way to start our league campaign with a 10 wicket victory. Well batted Rory, who is this week’s MOTM, for his 105* and 2-8. Stansted Hall’s very own Ben Stokes.
Next week we are home to Potter Street & Church Langley